Charges have been laid against a company connected to a listeria outbreak that claimed the life of one woman and contributed to the death of another.

The Dominion Post understands Napier company Bay Cuisine will this month face the charges in the Napier District Court.

The Ministry for Primary Industries confirmed charges under the Food Act were laid last month, but would not say how many, and would not name the company charged. A spokesman said the ministry would make no further comment as the matter was before the court.

The charges follow a ministry investigation sparked after the two deaths between May and July last year. Listeria was found in pre-packaged ready-to-eat meats that had been supplied to Hawke’s Bay Hospital.

Listeria was also found at Bay Cuisine, the sole supplier of pre-packaged meats to the hospital.

The company issued a recall notice for affected products.

The ministry’s investigation sought to establish whether there was any link between the company and the infections.